By:Henry Hunter
If you’re new to sourdough baking, here’s a basic recipe to get you started. This simple recipe will help you understand the essence of sourdough and create a delicious loaf to enjoy.
Ingredients:
* 300 grams of sourdough starter (100% hydration) 🍶
* 350 milliliters of water 💦
* 500 grams of bread flour 🌾
* 10 grams of salt 🧂
Instructions:
1️⃣ In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough starter and water. Stir until well combined.
2️⃣ Add the bread flour to the bowl and mix until a shaggy dough forms. Let it rest for 20 minutes (autolyse).
3️⃣ Sprinkle the salt over the dough and knead it gently for about 5 minutes until the salt is fully incorporated.
4️⃣ Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature for about 4 to 6 hours, or until it has visibly increased in size and feels puffy. Perform a series of stretch and folds every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours (optional but helps with gluten development).
5️⃣ After the bulk fermentation, transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a round or oval loaf, creating tension on the surface of the dough.
6️⃣ Place the shaped dough into a proofing basket or a lightly greased bowl, seam-side up. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it proof for another 2 to 3 hours, or until it passes the poke test (when gently pressed, the dough slowly springs back).
7️⃣ While the dough is proofing, preheat your oven to 230°C (450°F). Place a Dutch oven or baking stone in the oven to preheat as well.
8️⃣ Once the dough is ready, carefully transfer it to the preheated Dutch oven or onto the preheated baking stone. Score the surface of the dough with a sharp knife or lame.
9️⃣ Cover the Dutch oven with its lid (or use a roasting pan to cover the baking stone) and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the lid (or cover) and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bread develops a deep golden crust.
🔟 Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing. This allows the interior to set properly.
🎉 Congratulations on baking your very own sourdough bread! 🥳 The process may seem a bit involved at first, but with practice, it will become easier and more intuitive. Enjoy your delicious homemade loaf! 🍞
